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PHOTOGRAPHERS: shutter speed vs aperature.

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DungeonMaster
Posts: 143 - Karma: 820
I'm a noob photographer. I wouldn't call myself a photographer. But I'm chillin in a parking lot taking pictures of stuff getting acquainted with full Manual. I took two pictures, one with Shutter 1/250 and F36 and one at 1/640 and f22. The pictures look identical and I just tweak these to get the shots I want. But is there a reason you would take one over the other? Or is just getting them to work together to get the shot you want in the conditions you want? Just trying to learn all I can, teach me!
Feb 7 2014 4:41PM
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eheath
Posts: 61657 - Karma: 123,595
f36 is really going to ruin your image. At first glance it may look the same but when you have such a small aperture you get terrible diffraction (correct me if im wrong fellow nerds).

I'd say shoot a faster shutter, like 1/1000 so you could have your aperture at like f11, most lenses the sweet spot of sharpness is f4-f11.

Obviously people shoot large aperture for a more shallow DOF in their image as well.
Feb 7 2014 5:01PM
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FullStack
Posts: 288 - Karma: 274
A wide aperture will decrease the depth of field.. Remember that aperture is a hole and the greater the number, the smaller the hole.  By decreasing the hole then the less light will be let in.  But then you have to control your other light conrol.. your shutter speed.  The faster your shutter speed then less light will be let in.  You didn't notice too much of a difference because f22 and f36 won't make a noticable difference when shooting landscapes or 'lengthy' depth shots.
Feb 7 2014 5:34PM
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plorr
Posts: 3131 - Karma: 528
There are three things that affect exposure in photos (excluding ND filters): ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed.

ISO is the sensitivity of the sensor/film. Low ISO requires more light (longer shutter speed or larger aperture), but yields better images with less noise and better tonality. Higher ISO requires less light, but sacrifices image quality.

Aperture is the opening in your lens that allows light to hit the sensor. This is used to control depth of field and sharpness. To isolate your subject from the background, shoot with a larger aperture (smaller f-number). For optimum sharpness in the whole frame, you would usually stop down to around f8 or f11 and focus near infinity ( most lens' sharpness is limited by refraction).

Shutter speed controls motion blur. To freeze action or for sharper handheld shots, use a fast shutter speed. Slow shutter speeds are used if you want motion blur in your image, or to allow you to use a lower ISO/smaller aperture when on a tripod in lower light.

So basically the relationship between the three factors can be summed up in whats called the Exposure Triangle:

Click for larger image
Feb 7 2014 5:40PM
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DungeonMaster
Posts: 143 - Karma: 820
Thanks guys! These are the types of answers I was looking for! I had no idea, I'm on day 2 with this thing, thanks much! +k all
Feb 7 2014 6:21PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
yes and no, depends on the lens and format, 8x10 users often shoot at f64 and the lenses are tack sharp, but of course they are quite a bit diff then normal slr lenses
Feb 7 2014 7:06PM
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eheath
Posts: 61657 - Karma: 123,595
Yeah I'm speaking strictly about slr lenses since thats what OP asked about.
Feb 7 2014 7:35PM
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